Adequate School Funding for Emergent Bilingual Students: Implications for the Texas School Finance System

• In Event: 56.055 - Equity and Adequacy in Public School Funding: Considering State and District Investments in Schools

Abstract

While almost all states cut education funding following the Great Recession, and few have restored budgets back to pre-recession levels, there is little understanding among policymakers about how state funding cuts were distributed across districts. In particular, past research has not examined funding implications for emergent bilingual students who are learning the English language. The following study shows that despite state legislators’ efforts, the districts with the highest proportion of LEP students in Texas experienced a disproportionate share of the recessionary budget cuts. The study is particularly timely given the recent State Supreme Court decision in Texas that found the school finance system constitutional, but in severe need of reform.

Author

• David S. Knight, University of Texas at El Paso